counsellor
gb/kˈaʊnsəlɚ/ us/kˈaʊnsəlɚ/
B1
English
~ 4300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
A person who advises others
A person whose job is to help people by giving advice about their problems.
Usage pattern:
[someone] works as a counsellor
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'counsellor' with 'consular', which relates to diplomats. They may also misspell it as the American form 'counselor'.
Synonyms
advisor (More general and can refer to professional or informal advice in various areas.)
|
therapist (Usually refers to someone providing psychological treatment, not just advice.)
Antonyms
client (Refers to the person receiving advice rather than giving it.)
Collocations
school counsellor
|career counsellor
|guidance counsellor
|mental health counsellor
|camp counsellor
Themes
work
|health
|emotions
|relationships
Examples
- The school counsellor helped me choose my classes for next year.
- She works as a marriage counsellor in a private clinic.
- The camp counsellor organized games for the children.
- He met with a career counsellor to discuss his options after graduation.
- A trained counsellor can help you manage stress and anxiety.
Learner examples
- The counsellor talked to the students.
- I saw a counsellor about my job problems.
- The camp counsellor took us to the lake.
- She is a school counsellor.
- He spoke to a counsellor about his worries.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
2
A lawyer in formal use
A lawyer who gives legal advice or speaks for someone in court.
Usage pattern:
[someone] served as counsel/counsellor for [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the more common meaning of 'counsellor' as an advisor on personal matters. In legal contexts, 'counsel' is often used instead of 'counsellor'.
Synonyms
attorney (Common in American English for any lawyer.)
|
barrister (Used in British English for lawyers who can represent clients in higher courts.)
Antonyms
defendant (The person being accused or defended, opposite role to the lawyer.)
Collocations
defence counsellor
|legal counsellor
|counsellor-at-law
Themes
law
|work
|business
Examples
- The defendant's counsellor argued for a lighter sentence.
- She worked as a legal counsellor for an international firm.
- The court appointed a public counsellor to represent him.
Learner examples
- The counsellor spoke for him in court.
- She is a legal counsellor.
- He asked his counsellor for advice about the contract.
Grammar
Dictionary form
counsellor
IPA
GB/kˈaʊnsəlɚ/
US/kˈaʊnsəlɚ/
Syllables & stress
coun - sel - lor (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (coun)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: counsellor
- Plural: counsellors
Word family
Forms
counsellors
noun
Core family
counselling
noun B2
counsel
verb B2
Related words
counselor
noun
counseling
noun B2
Expressions
camp counsellor
1/kˈæmp kˈaʊnsəlɚ/
fixed phrase
Person supervising children at camp
A person who looks after and leads activities for children at a camp.
Examples
- The camp counsellor taught us how to build a fire.
- Each group had two camp counsellors to lead activities.
guidance counsellor
1/ɡˈaɪdəns kˈaʊnsəlɚ/
fixed phrase
School advisor for students
A teacher or school worker who helps students with school work, future jobs, and personal problems.
Examples
- The guidance counsellor helped me apply to university.
- Students can talk to the guidance counsellor about career choices.
marriage counsellor
1/mˈɛɹɪd͡ʒ kˈaʊnsəlɚ/
fixed phrase
Therapist for couples' issues
A person trained to help married people solve problems in their relationship.
Examples
- They decided to see a marriage counsellor before making any big decisions.
- The marriage counsellor suggested better ways to communicate.